Key-socket.



, 629,990. I Patented July la, |999.

c. 9. PERKINS.

KEY soKET.

(Application led Feb. 13, 1899.)

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CHARLES G. PERKINS, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT7 ASSIGNOR TO THE PERKINS ELECTRIC SWITCH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

Kev-SOCKET.

SPECIFICATION forming part `of Letters Patent No. 628,990, dated July 1s, 1899.

Application led February 18, 1899. Serial No. 705,429. (No model.)

To all 'uf/ecm, it may concern:

Beit known that I, CHARLES G. PERKINS, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Hart-` lamps and whichhave switch-blocks that are` adapted to be engaged with the bushings for completing the circuits through the sockets.

The object of the invention is to so form the contacts engaged by the switch-block when the circuit is closed that they may be readily adj usted in order that the key shall turn easily for opening or closing the circuit and cause such an engagement of the parts that all dan-` ger of heating will be eliminated when the circuit is closed and suchaseparation of the parts that sparking will be minimized when the circuit is opened.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated by the accompanying drawings has a block of insulating material with a conducting-sleeve secured to one side. Binding-posts for the attachment of circuit-wires are fastened to the insulating material in separate recesses. One post is connected with a contact that extends to the center of the bushing, While the other post is connected with a frame that supports the key-spindle which bears the switch-block. A spring-finger is connected with the spindle-supporting frame for engaging and throwing the switch-block, which in closing the circuit makes Contact with the inturned upper end of the sleeve, which has such a slot in its side wall that the point of contact of the sleeve with the switchblock will be somewhat elastic.

Figure l of the drawings is a view of one side of a socket embodying the invention with the exterior shell removed. Fig. 2 is a view of another side of the saine socket. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of this socket. Fig. el is a plan of the sleeve used with this socket. Fig. 5 is a side view of a socket embodying the invention, which has a sleeve provided with spring-Iingers inside of a sleeve provided with a thread for holding the lamp; and Fig.

6 shows a side and an end view of one of the contacts used in the sockets represented.

The exterior shell for the socket is not illustrated, as it forms no part of the present invention. Any approved design of shellmade of any suitable material may be employed for inclosing the parts.

The block of insulation l, which is preferably porcelain, has a recess 2 on one side and awire-groove 3, leading across the edge to this recess. In the recess and secured in a common manner to the under face of the insula-v tion is a conducting-plate 1. This plate is provided with a binding-screw 5 for the attachment of the end of'oue of the circuit-Wires, which may be led through the groove 3. The lower part of this contact is extended inwardly below the center of the insulation, and the inner end is preferably provided with depressions 6, which are adapted to engage notches in the plate or other conducting part on the end of the lamp-base, so as to prevent the lamp from turning and loosening the junction between the. contacts.

The insulation has a recess 7, and secured in this by common means is a frame 8. Connected with this frame is apart with a binding-screw i) for the attachment of the end of .the other of the circuit-wires, and also connected with the frame is a spring-finger l0, that engages the switclrblock l l. The switchblock is loosely borne by the key-spindle l2.

which is held in perforations made through the ends of the frame S.

The sleeve 13 may be provided witha screwthread, as shown in Fig. l, for receiving and holding a threaded lamp-base, or may have spring-fingers, as shown in Fig. 5, for receiving and holding a beadedlamp-base. An opening 14 is made through one side of this shell for the passage of the inner end of the contact-plate et, and the upper end of the shell has an inturned flange l5 except where the openinglt is made. The screws for securing the shell to the insulation pass through this flange, and the lower end of the switchblockniakes contact with the upper face of the flange when the circuit `is closed.

A slot 1G is made through the side Wall of the shell near the upper end, beneath the part of the fiange engaged by the switch-block, so

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that the flange at this locality is unsupported along its edge, and therefore has considerable spring. Vith this provision the portion of the flange where the switch-block makes contact can, by a screw-driver or other tool, be bent up at any time, so as to insure close contact with the end of the switch-block. The slotting of the side wall in this manner allows Ythis close Contact, as the flange yields suiiciently for the rectangular switch-block to be turned freely. With this construction the spindle may be held in perforations in the ends of the frame that fit the spindle, so that the spindle does not have a movement side- Wise-that is, longitudinally of the socket. With the sleeve formed in this manner close contact is always insured, for the flanged end of the shell yields and then returns when the switch-block is turned and does not become permanently set below the reach of the block.

The depressions on the face of the central contact will engage with indentations on the end ot' a lamp-base and prevent a lamp-base which has been screwed into the socket, so as to make a tight contact, from unscrewing and loosening the Contact.

I claim as my inventionl. In a key-socket, in combination, an insulating-block, a bushing having a flanged end that has no support along a portion of the upper corner of the shell secured to the insulation, a keyfspindle rotarily supported `by the insulation, and a switch-block mounted upon the spindle and adapted to alternately make and break connection with the flanged end of the shell at the locality where the flange is separated from the side wall of the shell, substantially as specified.

2i In a key-socket, in combination, an insulating-block, a bushing having a Banged end with a portion of the .flange separated by a slot from the side wall of a shell, a key whereby a portion of the flange is rendered elastic, substantially as specified.

` CHARLES G. PERKINS.

Witnesses: p

H. R. WILLIAMS, E. J. HYDE. 

